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A Banning probationer is back behind bars today after a search of his home turned up weapons, ammunition and a homemade pipe bomb that prompted a 4-1/2-hour evacuation of nearby residents, gang task force officers say in a written statement.

Leon Edward Ortega, 47, was arrested about 3 p.m. Wednesday in the 1400 block of Cottonwood Road and booked for investigation of probation violation and several weapons-related charges, including recklessly or maliciously possessing explosives in public, jail records show. His bail is $50,000.

San Gorgonio Special Operations Gang Task Force officers stopped Ortega because he ran a stop sign on a bicycle, Officer Steve Hobb said by telephone today.

Officers determined that he was on probation and searched his home, which is permissible under the terms of his probation.

âBecause of the explosive device that was found â¦ several residents had to be evacuated for safety purposes,â according to the statement. âWhen the (sheriffâs) Hazardous Device Team arrived, they determined the device was a homemade bomb and collected it to be destroyed.

âAfter 4-1/2 hours, residents were able to return to their homes.â

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